In reaction to state Rep. Ruth Rudy's letter asking Pennsylvania senators and representatives to make kidnapping a federal offense, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter agreed to give the proposal "serious consideration."

In addition to Specter, Rudy, D-Centre, sent letters to U.S. Rep. Bill Clinger, U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford and U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster asking them to consider making kidnapping a federal offense. Rudy said she has only received a response from Specter, R-Pa.

In his letter to Rudy, Specter said certain crimes, including drug and firearm offenses, are federal crimes because of federal interests involved, which can range from the victim's nature, the location of the crime or interstate nature of the crime.

Drug and firearm offenses are federal crimes because committing the crimes involves interstate commerce, Specter said. Kidnapping has not been considered a federal offense unless the victim is taken across state lines, he said.

"I will carefully consider making kidnapping within a single state a federal crime," Specter said.

Although Clinger, R-Pa., did not respond to Rudy in writing, press secretary Betsy Linaberger said he plans to keep Rudy's proposal in mind when Congress debates the crime bill.

"He is always interested in hearing from the state reps," she said.

Rudy said the issue reached greater importance when President Clinton endorsed legislation on the federal level similar to her "three strikes and you're in -- in prison for life" bill. Both "three strikes" plans would require three-time offenders of federal offenses to be imprisoned for life.

If Clinton's proposal becomes law, a person could commit multiple kidnappings in one state and still not fall within the federal statute -- unless they were caught crossing state lines with a child, Rudy said in her letter to Specter.

In her original letter, Rudy points to the Polly Klaas case in California as an example of how kidnapping can be limited within state lines. Klaas' body was found in the woods near her house after she was kidnapped from her bedroom during a slumber party.

"I believe that such offenses are federal in nature even though the victims weren't taken across state lines," she said.